Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Wrong Meeting (1)
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Sometimes in life, you get that feeling like you're unusually connected to all sorts of people... Days like that come around every once in a while.
In my case, today was exactly that day.
The whole thing kicked off with the smart phone's vibration buzzing early in the morning.
You know how it is sometimes?
Your body's exhausted, and it's way too early to get up, but the phone's notification hits at the most annoyingly perfect timing to grate on your nerves.
That was exactly the situation right now, but if I had to pin it down more precisely, it was a chill down my spine.
That so-called instinct, that gut feeling... like if I didn't check this message right now, as fast as humanly possible, something terrible was going to happen...
In truth, there was no real basis for it—just a hunch that was probably nothing more than coincidence.
"Ah."
Like I keep saying, some days just line up with coincidences in the weirdest ways.
I roughly shoved aside the thin blanket covering me, pressed my forehead, and let out a sigh.
It was 6:30 a.m. Normally, I'd still be deep in sleep, but there was no way I could ignore this.
A disciple must answer their master—sky-like in status—no matter the time or place, as quick as a five-minute standby order.
...Or so my master brainwashed me. It was indoctrinated etiquette education starting from my tender age of fifteen.
Even with lingering fatigue, my body reflexively unlocked the phone screen.
Of course, I planned to ignore it unread like always. It was probably just pointless chit-chat anyway. I opened the messenger app.
I slammed the screen shut.
Then I pressed hard on the corners of my eyes and let out a deep sigh.
"...Haaah."
Apoplexy my ass. Looks like her chronic illness flared up instead. Suppressing my boiling emotions, I tapped the phone keypad.
Ring, ring... The outgoing tone rang slowly. I waited without much thought.
"No, seriously."
My master deliberately ignored my call, and I grabbed the back of my neck. She told me to call, and now this? So out of character.
I hesitated for a moment, but there was no other way. I had no choice but to tap the chat window piled with 300+ unread messages.
Ignoring the endless stream of pointless chit-chat attempts, check-in texts, threats to read messages...
I typed immediately, packing in my emotions, hoping this immature master would grasp my deep concern.
I hesitated briefly, then added another line with a reluctant sigh.
The '1' unread marker next to the chat vanished.
I waited tensely, just in case.
"Fuck."
I clenched my fist, trembling with genuine rage. If she were here, I'd definitely bonk that tiny head of hers.
Then I'd get turned into an ice statue as punishment for lese-majeste, but whatever.
Putting everything aside, it was pretty unusual for my master to force a conversation like this.
She knew I'd be annoyed, yet she sent it anyway.
"Eugh, damn."
The last message bordered on madness. A chill ran through me, and I shuddered as I typed an awkward reply.
The '...' typing indicator popped up.
Meaning she was replying.
"Phew."
I wiped my forehead and sighed in relief. Good thing my master's highest education was high school. Easy to fool.
When Seol Ha-yeon—my magic master (25)—was fifteen, the world was still festering from the aftermath of Jörmungandr's death.
Monsters went on a final rampage, and gate spawns were supposedly over seven times more frequent than now.
Naturally, talented awakeners had no leisure to attend school peacefully.
So my master barely graduated middle school before being thrown into the front lines.
After that, she half-massacred monsters using her exceptional magic.
She got her high school diploma via GED, apparently. Heartbreaking.
'That's why she has no friends but me and doesn't know how to socialize...'
Anyway, she was pitiful in many ways.
As I dabbed at my eyes over her sad life story, a reply came.
"..."
And there she goes, missing my sophisticated joke and puffing up with pride.
She genuinely believes real combat with monsters beats the academy's systematic education...
If not for my parents' opposition, I might be out in the Arctic Ocean with her right now.
'Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.'
Still, I didn't want to ditch school life with peers to clean up Jörmungandr remnants, so Blue Pine Academy was the right choice.
Sorry to disappoint my master, whose plans for my growth were thwarted.
I was about to ask why she sent weird messages first thing in the morning.
Perfect timing—she brought it up.
"Hm."
Figured as much. I nodded, expecting it, and waited for the next message.
That 'just in case' meant 'in case you're ghosting me for good.'
I shook my head in disbelief.
Even so, I'm not like that. Ignoring messages one by one is just me being stubborn.
There was only one possible reply.
I chuckled and tapped away.
I have no idea what a 'full academy course' entails, but I've heard seniors and classmates use the phrase.
Just show her around, right?
The chat ended there. The last line was her standard farewell—nothing to overthink.
I used to agonize over whether she meant it, hearing it in messages or voice.
'Now I know better.'
After five years of constant closeness, no room for illusion. It's just lip service.
No point getting flustered by daily love confessions anymore.
I turned off the phone and tossed it on the bed. Still not even 7 a.m.
Go back to sleep? Nah, eyes won't close now.
'Head to school early.'
No choice but to prep for school. A bit early, but doable.
I balled up my short-sleeve shirt and chucked it aside, heading straight to the bathroom.
Backing up a bit—sometimes in life, you get unusually connected to all sorts of people... blah blah blah.
Anyway, that day for me was today, as mentioned.
I finished prepping quickly, threw on a jacket over my uniform, and left the dorm.
Early hour—no other students in sight.
Weather was mildly cool, or maybe chilly. Early March, temperatures fluctuate.
Of course, 'cold' rather than 'hot' barely fazes me, no matter how biting. One of many perks of an ice mage.
Breathing the campus air at the dawn-morning cusp, I strolled the grounds. Lights on in some buildings.
Tuesday today—biweekly ranking matches.
Still holding first in rankings, curious who I'd face.
Personally, my favorite matchup is Cheon So-yul, no contest.
But for our match, rotation needs more turns. Probably one or two more opponents first.
Kim I-jun last time; odds favor Baek A-yun or Kanzaki Rie?
Both awkward. Former due to that weekend incident; latter due to her magic type.
Feeling queasy, I prayed briefly for good matchup luck.
'Please, anyone but Kanzaki.'
Kanzaki Rie, Japanese exchange student. 'Prim and proper lady' fits perfectly, yet ironically, every guy in the ninth cohort dreads facing her in rankings.
Reason lies in her magic—details later.
"...Hyun-jin..."
...Or maybe someone below fifth. No need to worry prematurely.
"Lee Hyun-jin?"
Odds: Baek A-yun 70%, Kanzaki Rie 30%?
Some woman's voice keeps tickling my ear...
"Mind answering soon, Hyun-jin...? I'm sad..."
"..."
Sigh.
I sighed inwardly but turned with a bright smile, hiding my unease.
There stood third-year senior Seo Ha-rin, fake-sniffling 'hng hng.'
Ilseong Group heiress.
Decent magic talent.
Former student council secretary.
Current vice president.
And last year, she proposed a contract marriage to me... that 'unreadable' senior.
'Already tired.'
I pressed my eyes lightly but didn't stop walking. Kept heading to my goal. Don't look back!
"Ah."
Seo Ha-rin, startled and freezing in place, quickly caught up.
Matching my stride clumsily, she leaned in with a grin.
"Out early, Hyun-jin? You're not usually this diligent, right?"
I replied curtly while walking fast.
"Woke up early today."
"Mm, happens sometimes. I come at this hour usually—hope we see each other more!"
"Ah, but starting tomorrow, I'll be on time..."
Trailing off naturally, she paused and glared sulkily.
Then muttered irritably.
"...You're such an iron wall, my Hyun-jin."
"Thanks."
"Not a compliment."
Seo Ha-rin sighed. Fiddled with her hem, then shrugged 'whatever' and overtook me.
Thought conversation over—but no. She stopped in front, blocking me, pointing sharply.
"You!"
Yup.
"Got time for Blue Pine Festival?"
Pardon?
...
...
...
'Hm.'
I pressed my lips thin, eyeing her intently with narrowed gaze.
Her intent was clear.
Brief deliberation. Answer was set. I made a displeased face.
"Sorry. Prior commitment."
"...Huh?"
She flinched, looking up anxiously.
Silence fell...
I figured she'd force a wry smile or shrug helplessly.
Wrong, as usual.
"I... see...?"
Seo Ha-rin suddenly gripped her wrist, hugging her arms.
Her gaze wandered lost, shoulders shrinking.
I panicked. Not the reaction I expected. But I could guess why.
'Oops.'
Rejecting Blue Pine Festival wasn't the issue. My blunt delivery was.
...Regret hit late. Too obvious? Made my discomfort too clear.
Without even hearing her out fully.
Even persistent pursuers get hurt by that...
"..."
Felt a bit callous. Didn't mean to push that hard.
Important: I don't dislike Seo Ha-rin herself.
"...Haa."
Couldn't hold back the sigh. She flinched again, guilt-stabbed.
"Sorry, senior."
I apologized immediately.
She blanked out briefly.
Then blinked dumbly.
"...Huh?"
I bowed shortly.
"My reply was too insensitive. Really didn't mean to hurt you..."
"..."
"...So..."
She stayed stunned silent; I offered a compromise.
"Let's do Blue Pine Festival date. I'll carve out one full day for you."
Anyway, fix mistakes.
I initiated the meetup.
"...Uhng?"
She let out a dumb sound, like hearing the impossible.
'Damn, now I feel worse.'
Not thrilled, but...
No need to rage-refuse.
Dates with ulterior motives? Already pre-learned via Ryu Se-eun(?).
This was extension; no big aversion.
'Hm.'
Mindset set.
I nodded.
Backing up again—unusually connected to people, blah blah...
I left the out-of-it student council VP, Seo Ha-rin—like she'd soul-left her body—and hurried off.
"Long time no see, Lee Hyun-jin."
"..."
This time, ran into the wild student council president on the path.
What are the odds.
What's with today's luck?
The stern-looking guy eyed me coldly.
Alongside fourth-year disciplinary head Yoo Sung-hyun, he was Blue Pine Academy's top dog: Cheon Woo-hyuk.
Pale golden-brown hair and golden eyes gave it away.
Cheon So-yul's older brother.
...Whatever it was, felt like I should kneel first.